Archive for the 'Alex Gonzalez' Tag Under 'Angels' Category

The day after baseball's All-Star Game has always been one of my least-favorite days of the year.

Another day of no major-league games available, in person or on television. There is the Triple-A All-Star Game on the MLB network, from Lehigh Valley, Pa. So that's something to look forward to later. Any time I get to mention or think of the IronPigs, it makes me smile.

In the interim, here's some breaking news, and my thoughts:

-- The Braves and Blue Jays swap shortstops, with Yunel Escobar going to Toronto for 17-homer Alex Gonzalez. Atlanta is very serious about making Manager Bobby Cox's final season a big one. Too bad the same can't be said for Cito Gaston's final season in his second stint as Toronto manager.

There's a third-year player option at $6 million, a club option for $3 million or a $1.5 million buyout, so it's a contract similar in nature to the Placido Polanco deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.

So we have two non-power-hitting infielders in their early 30s getting $5 million to $6 million per year. Both men signed for well under their WAR values in 2008.

Scutaro, coming off a career year, replaces Alex Gonzalez in Boston. Gonzalez, who signed with the Blue Jays last week, replaces Scutaro in Toronto.

Neat and tidy, huh? Sort of like Reggie Jackson and Don Baylor trading places in 1983.